Vic: Bracks refuses to throw museum a lifeline
MELBOURNE, Feb 11 AAP - Victorian Premier Steve Bracks today indicated the MelbourneMuseum would have to work through its financial difficulties with little or no assistancefrom the government.
Mr Bracks said that while the government would maintain museum funding levels it wouldnot commit to a cash injection for the attraction.
"The existing budget is one that will stay and remain," he told reporters today.
"Obviously the museum needs to refocus and consider its attendances to make sure itcan meet the projected attendance levels it's set for itself as targets in the future."
Treasurer John Brumby said there was little room in the upcoming May budget for extradiscretionary spending.
"There is no specials, there is no favourites, there is a lot of competition there,"
Mr Brumby told reporters.
"And as I have said previously ... because of the drought, because of the bushfires,because of some security concerns, this budget will be tight."
Mr Bracks said the drop-off in visitors to the museum was to be expected, after manypeople had made an initial visit during the first year after opening.
"Of course there's a must-see type atmosphere around the opening of a new museum,"
Mr Bracks said.
He said the opening of the Ian Potter Gallery at Federation Square, where entry isfree, had also taken away discretionary expenditure available for such attractions.
"I think it's a matter for refocusing, remarketing and selling and making sure we getpeople along," he said.
AAP bp/dk/gl/de
KEYWORD: MUSEUM
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